Introducing the new Chair and Deputy Chair of the Chilterns Conservation Board

Date: 31st July 2024

The Chilterns National Landscape announces the recent election of John Nicholls and Sir Hector Sants as the new Chair and Deputy Chair of the Chilterns Conservation Board.

John Nicholls – Chair

Following a successful career in urban and rural planning, John was appointed a Secretary of State member of the Conservation Board in 2016 and served as Deputy Chair from 2021 to 2024.

Secretary of State appointed members can serve for a maximum term of nine years and, in his final year, John intends to continue the successful work of his predecessor, Colin Courtney, who stepped down as Chair at the AGM in June.

“I hope to help our excellent team build on the strong momentum our National Landscape has built up and to engage our many partners as fully as possible in thinking about its future,” he said.

While he may not live in the Chilterns, John can see the National Landscape from his bedroom window and enjoys walking through the beech woods near Stoke Row and Checkendon with his wife, a habit he started during the Covid-19 lockdown. John is also a frequent visitor at Greys Court, a National Trust property near Henley-on-Thames, where he volunteers as a ranger and, as a sculptor in stone himself, helps organise their annual sculpture show.

“There’s something very satisfying about trying to develop an idea from a lump of stone and getting covered in dust in the process!” he said.

Photo of a man with a grey beard wearing glasses.

Sir Hector Sants – Deputy Chair

Sir Hector has lived in and around the Chilterns for 30 years and has been a member of the Conservation Board since September 2021.

Between 1977 and 2014, Sir Hector worked in financial services and regulation and served as the CEO of the Financial Services Authority and the European CEO of Credit Suisse.

Now retired, he lives in the Hambleden valley, his favourite place in the Chilterns, and is keen to draw upon his skills and experience in contributing to the local community.

“My particular hope for the Chilterns is that, at this time of change and opportunity, we can create a new vision, strengthen our capabilities and partnerships, and, as a result, make a positive material difference,” he said.

Photo of a man in a blue suite sitting on a chair.

The Chilterns Conservation Board is the public body established to conserve and enhance the Chilterns National Landscape. The Board is supported by a staff team, based in Chinnor, Oxfordshire.

Meet our Board members